Hot weather = less clothes. I’m not great at less clothes, unless you count wearing my dressing gown, which I can do for hours, with ease, every Sunday morning. No, I’m happier when jean-clad and wrapped in jumpers. But this heatwave has seen me, for the first time in years, wearing shorts and genuinely not caring about the fact that I might not be entirely hair or cellulite free. It’s not as if I’ve made no effort – there is some fake tan involved this year, as mentioned before – but when I left my thirties, I think I left my post-baby-body-consciousness behind too. On reflection, buying comfortable sandals may have taken it too far but if anyone questions them, I’ll say they’re old skool. Bloody marvellous.
Current white in the fridge: Verdicchio di Matelica 2012, £6.99 when you buy 2 bottles, Majestic
This one was sent to me by Amy, who has a brilliant wine blog and works in the wine trade. She thought I should taste this. I’m very pleased she did: it’s brilliant. Made from the Verdicchio grape (which means ‘little green one’ and makes me think of my children’s noses as much as it makes me think of a grape) grown in the Italian region of Marche. It is exactly right for this weather, with lashings of lemony fruit flavours. Crisp as a white cotton shirt, too. Happy with a bowl of olives, and a star with fish.
Current red in the rack: Markus Schneider Ursprung 2011, £14.75, Red Squirrel
Back in January, one of my new year’s resolutions (ok, my only one) was to drink more off-the-beaten track wines. A few days later, I got an email from a man called Nik, and he told me about his online wine company, Red Squirrel. Nik is a man on a mission: namely, to be a bit different when it comes to wine. He’s got stuff on his site I’ve never even heard of and I love that. He sent me some wines to try and this one is properly hashtag amazeballs. Made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Portugeiser and Cabernet Mitos, this is juicy as fresh gossip, with lots of blackcurrant flavours. And the fact that it’s from Germany, from the Pfalz region, is for me the biggest surprise of all. Completely brilliant with burgers, as it happens.
Chin chin x
Ps. Last week’s Winser London competition is open until 13th July, click here to see details. £150 of clothes up for grabs. Not a comfortable sandal in sight.
Well done for wearing shorts. I quite like getting long-sighted as I get older, as it means I can't really see the hairs or cellulite on my legs anyway!
I know what you mean. Knowing what I know now, I kind of wish I'd spent the whole of my twenties in shorts. But of course, I was wearing big jumpers!
My problem is when I am wearing clothes from "the summer wardrobe" bag I think I look great at home but the moment I catch sight of myself in shop windows I think the woman staring back at me really much pay more attention to herself. Lordy, I hate that moment when you realise it's your own reflection.
Rather liked the Aldi recommendation of last week. I think I probably told just about everyone I know to buy it as it slips down a treat.
Elinor
Beach Hut Cook
The thing about that Aldi wine is that, for £3.69, it is a complete bargain. Not complicated, just juicy. And delicious. And I know what you mean about the reflection…and the summer wardrobe bag!
"Juicy as fresh gossip" – love it!
He he, was particularly amused by that one, I must admit.
I saw that first line from my RSS reader, clicked through all excited and then you talk about sandals. How disappointing :)Are they Birkenstocks? Surely the only sandal allowed?
I know, sorry. And no, not Birkies! They are, in fact, called Saltwater. An American brand that – she says all excitedly – you can wear in the sea! I love them so much. Really comfortable. Gawd, I am my mother.
I've got some of those you can wear in the sea. Have had them for years and have to talk myself out of wearing them coz they're so comfortable, but not really v glam. My friends tell me off. Sometimes I fail to remember. Shame, eh? 😉